i disagree, DSL set out to be a working desktop from 50mb and has successfully grown and slimmed down to include boltons to do a host of other things. extra space is required to upgrade the kernel to keep up with technology.

if all you want is a base for installing your own apps then this is a bad choice of distro.

I've used DSL on and off for several years. It's small, simple, predictable, but highly capable and has a good selection of efficient & relevant applications & I believe this philosophy should be carried forward.

It seems to me that the current limiting factor is not so much the size of the distro, but the 2.4 kernal, so my desire for the next DSL would be much as it is today, but with the 2.6 kernal.

So how about the next version (DSL 5?) being the current 4.4.10 but with an upgraded kernal. Sure, it will get bigger, but it will start to solve some of the factors which are maybe holding up some progress (wireless networking to name but one). Most importantly, it will still be DSL. From there it can evolve in much the same the same way as it has until now.

Keep it small, keep it efficient, include applications which are best in class for performance and size. Keep is expandable through MyDSL extensions. Above all, keep it DSL.

What attracted me was DSL's small foot print for old systems. But I could use some tips on finding the correct driver for my ethernet card, Intel EtherExpress Pro/10+ PCLA8220B, and how to install that. DSL sys stat sees it as <6> isapnp card 'intel pro/10+' but at exit the console says: Warning: no support enc. ping ing the gateway says 'network unreachable', and sudo pump -s says 'operation failed', I'm a linux newbie, any hints appreciated. tia.

it's about keeping up with the times.old hardware = less users and getting less.new users want something different than the bag full of distros offer.

if you want to be different, think usb, portability, compatibility, usability.

so i can understand why the distro needs to get bigger. but can't understand why the apps can't at least be separated from the base.

with storage being so cheap, something similar to HD install (permanent) but without adding to stuff to the base would be the solution. everything else would have to be part of the base, so i can understand why it needs to get bigger.